NFC championship: Frank Gore must be part of the 49ers' game plan against the Falcons with a Super Bowl berth on the line. (AP Photo)

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The 49ers are in familiar territory, advancing to the conference title game for a second straight season. But there are two big differences as they look to reverse fortunes from last year’s heartbreaking 20-17 overtime home loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants. This time, San Francisco will try to win on the road and attempt to do it with Colin Kaepernick instead of Alex Smith. Kaepernick dazzled in his playoff debut, producing 444 yards (181 rushing) and four total touchdowns in the 45-31 divisional round rout of Green Bay. With his speed as a runner and big arm, expect the 49ers to remain aggressive on the fast track of the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons avoided heartbreak against Seattle to rally for a 30-28 escape after blowing 20-point halftime and fourth-quarter leads. Now that Mike Smith and Matt Ryan finally collaborated for their first playoff win, there will be confidence Atlanta can finish the job as a No. 1 seed at home. It took 16 years for tight end Tony Gonzalez to taste postseason victory, and expect his emotions and level of play to remain high as he tries to help the Falcons take that ultimate step.

49ERS PLAYER TO WATCH

Frank Gore. The Falcons focused their efforts on stopping Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch on Sunday, and limited him to just 46 rushing yards on 16 yards while also forcing a key fumble on his best run. But because it required Atlanta using extra defenders, it helped open up the scrambling for Russell Wilson (seven carries, 60 yards), as well as big gains from tight end Zach Miller (eight catches, 142 yards, TD) over the middle of the field. Given Kaepernick has proved to be even more dynamic when taking off and makes good use of tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker, the Falcons can’t afford to repeat the same formula. They will need to find a way to slow down Gore with just their front seven, or it will be another long second half.

FALCONS PLAYERS TO WATCH

Roddy White and Julio Jones. Ryan hit White for a pivotal 47-yard TD strike against Seattle, but the explosive Jones (six catches, 59 yards) was held in check from breaking a big play. The 49ers can have similar success, especially when top cornerback Carlos Rogers draws either Atlanta receiver on inside routes. Ryan misfired on some shots down the sidelines to White, but the coverage of the Seahawks’ Richard Sherman played a big part in that. The Packers had some outside opportunities with Aaron Rodgers but didn’t capitalize enough. Ryan needs more consistent hookups with his wideouts, as it will be tougher to get the ball to Gonzalez against the 49ers’ strengths at inside linebacker and safety.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Falcons running game vs. 49ers front seven. Green Bay found some success with a power rushing attack against San Francisco, until the 49ers got ahead and the Packers were forced into pass-happy mode. Atlanta has been inconsistent on the ground all season but found a rhythm with Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers bursting through for 162 yards on 24 combined carries against Seattle. It’s important the Falcons stay with the run to keep the pressure off Ryan. The more tough chunks Turner can get early, the more it will set up the younger, shiftier Rodgers to make a difference as a change of pace. The Falcons need to keep putting Ryan in third-and-manageable so he’s not subject to Aldon Smith and the 49ers’ pass rush teeing off on him.